Yahoo News Once overgrown and vandalised this garden is now one of UK's finest
Once overgrown, derelict and vandalised, Carmarthenshire's Aberglasney Gardens, is now one of the UK's finest gardens.
Aberglasney was lovingly restored and opened to the public 25 years ago, after being left abandoned for several years. After decades of vandalism and architectural theft, the property was purchased by Aberglasney Restoration Trust, the money donated by an American benefactor, Frank Cabot.
The history of the mansion and its surrounding gardens goes much further back than just its years of abandonment, with a mention of ‘nine green gardens’ at Aberglasney in a poem dating from medieval times. And the document history of Aberglasney starts during the reign Henry VIII.
The historic grade II* listed mansion at Aberglasney has been home to many colourful characters over the last 500 years including a famous poet, artists and a bishop.
However, it fell into disrepair in the years after the estate was broken up in 1955, and the mansion was on the brink of collapse before being rescued by the Aberglasney Restoration Trust in 1995.
The restoration project was the brainchild of William Wilkins CBE, who had previously founded the Welsh Historic Gardens Trust, and he oversaw the master plan for the restoration and re-creation of the gardens and the mansion.
Aberglasney finally opened to the public on July 4, 1999, and restoration work has been on-going since this date.
Discussing the ongoing restorations, Aberglasney’s Director of Operations Jim Stribling said: "This year is an exciting one for the future of Aberglasney. Work will start later this year to replace the terrace marquee of the Tearooms with a permanent dining area overlooking the pool garden, allowing for year-round enjoyment, whatever the weather.
"Work has also started on Allt Aberglasney, the woodland area adjacent to the gardens. Access is being improved and forestry work done to beautify and make the site safe for future access. Pathways and sympathetic plantings are planned, adding a new dimension to the Aberglasney experience."
On Thursday, July 4, Aberglasney will hold a celebratory event to mark the 25th anniversary of its opening, and for the anniversary celebration weekend of 6 and 7 July the entry fee to the gardens will be rolled back to the price charged in 1999 of £3.95.
